Keys to Success

The Paris Eternal stocked up on well-respected coaches during the offseason. Head coach Julien “Daemon” Ducros is intelligent, strategic-minded, and experienced after spending 2018 with the Los Angeles Valiant; player development coach Félix “Féfé” Munch has proven his expertise with Contenders EU champions Eagle Gaming; and assistant coach Kyle “KyKy” Souder is one of the most storied player-turned-coaches in Overwatch. The most interesting addition, though, could be Joni “Seita” Paavola as strategic coach. Seita has led Finnish teams repeatedly to the elite level in Europe over the last two and a half years, specializing in the development of tank and support lines. The Eternal have scouted players with potential, and it will be the collective job of these coaches to turn potential into reality.

Most top teams in Overwatch are led by strong shotcallers from the main tank and main support positions who are able to implement the plans from their coaches and adapt on the fly. The Eternal have Harrison “Kruise” Pond and Roni “LhCloudy” Tiihonen in these positions—two players well-known at the Contenders level for their intelligence and leadership qualities. Unlike other teams that sling star players together from different regions, the Eternal’s focus on European Anglophones should cause fewer communication issues and allow team chemistry to build rapidly.

One challenge that Paris must navigate revolves around their off-tank position. D.Va has been a staple hero in competitive Overwatch for two years, and the team does have two D.Va players—Nicolas “Nicogdh” Moret, who can flex to DPS, and Finnbjorn “Finnsi” Jonasson, who was unable to make a name in the league with the Valiant last season—so they must ensure that this position does not get overlooked and the responsibility gets passed around.

Paris could be slow-burners throughout the season as their potential gets unlocked. Their strength of schedule appears difficult early in 2019 but should ease up later in the season as they face the weaker Atlantic teams twice. In order to truly succeed in the Overwatch League, the Eternal must get better as their season gets easier and rack up wins down the stretch.

Catch the Paris Eternal in action in their season opener against the London Spitfire on Saturday, February 16, at 12 p.m. PST. All 2019 season matches will be available live and on demand on overwatchleague.com, the Overwatch League app, our Twitch channel, MLG.com, and the MLG app.